In Another Light: A Novel

Written by A.J. Banner

Narrated by Vaneh Assadourian

“A riveting psychological thriller…[will] keep you guessing till the very end.” —Lisa Gardner, #1 New York Times bestselling author

The death of a look-alike stranger leads a grieving woman down a troubling path in this riveting novel by A. J. Banner, bestselling author of The Poison Garden.

Three years ago mortuary cosmetologist Phoebe Glassman lost her husband in a tragic accident. No longer the hopeful wife and mother she once was, Phoebe is disappearing into her grief and into the quietude of her job—restoring to the dead the illusion of life. Then the body of a woman named Pauline Steele arrives in the mortuary, and for Phoebe, everything changes.

Pauline is unmistakably Phoebe’s mirror image and bears an alarmingly familiar tattoo. Even more startling is that among Pauline’s effects is a faded photograph of Phoebe. Aided by an eccentric colleague, her curiosity sparked, Phoebe investigates her doppelgänger’s life and death—and uncovers surprising clues to a shared past.

Phoebe’s emotional journey soon leads to shocking revelations about those closest to her…and even herself. When she’s driven to the brink, how much of what she discovers can she trust?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Oct 5, 2021
• ISBN: 9781713614821

A.J. Banner

Born in India and raised in North America, A. J. Banner received degrees from the University of California, Berkeley. Her first novel of psychological suspense, The Good Neighbor, was named by Harper’s Bazaar as a book that could be the next Gone Girl. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and five rescued cats.

Reviews for In Another Light

[Micki O'Dwyer · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The story may have been good but the narrator's reading cadence was so off beat it was difficult to follow along

[Marina · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This book was very predictable and the ending was very anti climatic. It was also quite hysterical in parts.

[drapple_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a wonderful novel of suspense. Phoebe is living her life on autopilot since she lost her husband and daughter on a traffic accident three years earlier. Suddenly, an event occurs which makes her question everything. Did her husband and daughter really die? Was there a conspiracy to keep them from her? The reader has to determine if Phoebe is right or if she is losing her mind.

[mrsmommybooknerd7 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

#FirstLine - Phoebe steals up the winding, forested driveway, her hoodie drawn tight against the cold.OMG, this book was SO GOOD. I devoured it! I loved it cover to cover. Every time I think Banner cannot outdo her last book, she goes and does it! This book had everything; mystery, thrills, twist and turns and a very satisfying ending. It is plotted perfectly and kept me buzzing through the pages. This is a MUST read. I will not soon forget this amazing story!!!

[carole888fort · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In Another Light by A.J. Banner is a family drama, a mystery and a psychological thriller all rolled into one. Phoebe is a mortuary cosmetologist who finds her work to be just what she needs: three years ago, her family was killed in an accident. She is living a quiet life while trying to get through the days. Until a body is brought to her mortuary and the woman looks just like Phoebe. She has a tattoo that she has seen before and she finds a photograph of herself in the deceased’s personal effects. What is going on? The rest you must read for yourself. This is a book with a storyline that cannot be anticipated. Phoebe’s search for explanations will take her to more confusion than answers. And nothing will be as it seems. The plot is like a maze that takes the reader along for quite a ride. There is nothing predictable here and I really enjoyed following the clues even if I was unable to guess the outcome. This mystery will stay with readers for a long time. Well done, Ms. Banner. Highly recommended. Thank you to Lake Union Publishing, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[shookie-984305 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This novel kept my guessing. Just when I thought I knew what was happening, another curveball was thrown. Full of suspicion, discovery, more suspicion, more discovery. It was not a scary book but definitely kept me on the edge of my seat (or bed, as the case may be!) wondering what would happen next. I felt the ending was a tiny bit of a stretch but just what was needed to tie up all the loose ends and have a strong ending rather than petering out. I recommend this for those who like light, non-murder type of mysteries. The book also did a good job describing grief and mental illness without being pedantic. I look forward to reading more of A.J. Banner.

[cherylk_44 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I found this to be an interesting read. I like Phoebe was very curious to solve the mystery of her doppelganger. What we discovered was very shocking. Which did keep me reading as I did like this book.When it came to Phoebe, she was someone that at times I emphasized with and other times I felt like an outside looking in. I never fully connected with her or the other characters in this story. When this happens, I find myself at times going through the motions of reading the words on the pages but they don't stick in my head. Thus if you would ask me what happened during those moments, I would not have been able to tell you. Overall, I did like this book.

[lorikboyd · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.A.J. Banner spins a tale and knows how to suck you in and not let you go until the end. This book is unique, a mystery like no other. Phoebe is a mortician. Dealing with so much pain and anguish since the loss of her family. Then a doppelgänger comes across her table and a mystery evolves that she needs to unravel. Who is lying? Who is telling the truth? Smoke and Mirrors?Twists and turns for sure, but also an honest look at dealing with grief, mental health, deception. Phoebe is a totally sympathetic protagonist, someone you can’t help rooting for. While some events are a little too neatly wrapped up, it doesn’t take away from this story. This domestic thriller is well written, with an eye opening and compassionate look at mental illness. For me, this author never disappoints. Thanks to Ms. Banner, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.